Hatters boss Graeme Jones has said that the first team are continuing training during the postponement of fixtures, in an attempt to not only keep the players fit, but also to stop the spread of coronavirus.
Precautions have been taken at the Brache to ensure that it is as hygienic as possible, with the players being spread out across dressing rooms instead of everybody in one, whilst the training sessions are viewed as important in keeping their immune systems up.
Speaking to the local media yesterday afternoon, Jones said: “It’s just business as usual, without the games. It was a club decision to continue to train, to keep levels of fitness up. So we were in yesterday, we were in today and had two really good sessions with the boys. The thought behind that is, these boys are social animals by nature. Young, vibrant men, and I’m sure they would think about having a coffee in a Starbucks somewhere.
“So one, we’re reducing that risk, so we want to protect them and their families, so they’re in an environment where they’re getting regular checks every day. Also, moderate training helps your immune system, making sure we're still controlling, certainly one or two meals a day from a nutritional point of view, so that’s the main thinking behind it from a Luton Town point of view.
“Intensity and training times for example, we are trying to socially distance ourselves as much as we possibly can, the boys are in at 10.30am for an 11am start. We’re trying to avoid any confined spaces, so breakfast isn’t provided, even though lunch is. We’ve spread the players out across four changing rooms now, and when you’re out on that big open pitch with fresh air it’s a place where, I’m not saying it’s safe, but it’s a safer place than confined spaces.
“So it has changed. That moderate training mode is just to make sure we don’t detrain in any way, shape or form and we haven’t so far. We keep the boys ticking over and keep that physical level up and also help make sure their immune system is as strong as it can be if any of the boys got infected.”
The approach has proven successful so far, with no players seemingly catching the virus, with the view held that if it’s working, then don’t change it.
“We’ve got a clean bill of health, so while you’ve got a clean bill of health you’re thinking, let's preserve that and keep working and that’s what we’re trying to do,” Jones continued.
“Yes, we’re in an industry where sometimes sport is the be-all and end-all, but there’s nothing more important in this world that the health of any individual and their families.
“That decision [to postpone matches] was taken in the best interests of every individual in the country, and their health and wellbeing comes way before sport and that is an absolutely priority at the minute, so yes, I was delighted with the decision really.”